Late goals hand Qormi first win

Qormi 2
Attard 1

\n

Qormi again failed to impress but were still good enough to chalk up their first win of the season when they came from a goal down to beat Attard.

The first period was a disappointing affair with Qormi enjoying the better exchanges but lacked incisiveness in front of goal.

On 19 minutes, Daniel Zuccarò hit just over for Qormi and five minutes from the break Clyde Grech almost surprised Attard goalkeeper Owen Formosa from a corner.

After the break, Formosa did well to keep out Edward Azzopardi's cross-shot but just past the hour, Attard were regaled with the opener. A mistake by Qormi goalkeeper Kevin Formosa allowed Chris Ciappara to easily slot the ball home.

Qormi's reaction was a feeble one and Attard almost sealed the points on 74 minutes when Ciappara's lob finished just over.

Attard were made to pay for this miss as two minutes from time substitute Glen Buhagiar brought the team level and in time added on Tabone beat Formosa with a low shot for a dramatic winner.

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.

Gudja United 0
Mellieha 3

Mellieha broke their duck when they moved past Gudja who conceded their third defeat to remain rooted to the bottom of the standings.

David Fenech tried his luck for Mellieha early on but his shot was saved by Matthew Xerxen.

Gudja came back strongly and threatened with an Edmond Thornton header and a George Frendo volley. Xerxen, then did well to keep out Hubert Vella's close range effort.

Mellieha took the lead on 61 minutes when William Borg headed home Wayne Borg St John's corner kick.

That was the turning point of the match as the northerners assured themselves of the points with late goals from St John (78) and Borg (89).

Referee: Paul Apap.

Balzan Youths 2
Gozo FC 0

Leaders Balzan Youths maintained their perfect start to the season when they beat Gozo FC despite finishing the match with nine players after having Beppe Pace and Stefan Cauchi dismissed.

Balzan were off to a flier and after ten minutes Sacco put them ahead from a Jerryton Agius cross. Minutes later, Sacco and Alistair Camilleri could have increased Balzan's advantage while Pace's free-kick was blocked by Xuereb.

Anthony Portelli missed a good chance to put Gozo level while at the other end Xuereb blocked Sacco's shot. Six minutes before the break, Balzan were reduced to ten men when captain Pace was sent off for dissent.

Gozo FC enjoyed the better of exchanges early in the second half and Portelli was their most dangerous player in attack.

However, it was Balzan who were on the mark when Aaron Agius sealed their win after a fine solo effort in the 83rd minute. A minute later Balzan's Cauchi was sent off following a second booking but that had no effect on the final result.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Dingli Swallows 0
Melita 0

Melita gained an important point against a Dingli Swallows side who attacked for all the 90 minutes but poor finishing and some fine goalkeeping from Chris Briffa kept them at bay.

Dingli held the initiative during the first half. After 18 minutes a volley by Roderick Farrugia scraped the upright and on the half-hour they were also unlucky when Stefan Farrugia's free-kick bounced off the crossbar. Then Melita's goalkeeper Briffa effected a fine save on Dingli striker Farrugia.

The Amateurs shared the exchanges throughout the second half and early on Michael Martin's shot was saved by Dingli goalkeeper Cassar.

At the other end, Farrugia missed a sitter as Dingli ended the match on the attack but failed to score a winner.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Division Three

Sta Venera Lightnings 5
Ta' Xbiex 0

Sta Venera Lightnings had to work hard before cruising to their second win of the season. They had to wait until the second half to break Ta' Xbiex's resistance before adding four more goals to finish comfortable winners. The three points won lifted Sta Venera on top alongside Sirens and Siggiewi.

Sta Venera were the better team throughout with Andrew Hili hitting the bar early on and a Dylan Mercieca header being cleared off the line by Brian Vella.

The Saints had a Mark Grech goal ruled out for offside but they eventually broke the deadlock through Stephen Said in the 55th minute.

The goal eased the pressure on Sta Venera who continued to increase their margin with goals from Said, in the 74th and 84th minutes, Ian Falzon (77th) and Alfred Micallef in the last minute.

Referee: Thomas Debono.

Zurrieq 1
Siggiewi 2

Two late goals by Josef Micallef handed Siggiewi the victory they needed to share top spot with Sta Venera Lightnings and Sirens with maximum points from two matches. For Zurrieq this was their first defeat of the season.

Siggiewi dictated the run of play in the first half and early on a point blank shot by Eman Ciappara was blocked by Azzopardi. The Zurrieq custodian then did well to keep out Micallef's volley.

Zurrieq's response produced dangerous attempts by Robert Bajada and Matthew Genuis.

Zurrieq were the livelier side after the break and deservedly forged ahead through substitute Charles Vassallo.

Siggiewi came back strongly and Micallef put them level on 75 minutes. The same player went on to net the winner after he was set up by Pierre Spiteri.

Referee: Darren Calleja.

Luqa St Andrews 1
Kirkop United 3

Kirkop United obtained their first win after they had the better of a Luqa St Andrews' side who failed to capitalise on their dominance and suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Mark Schembri put Kirkop ahead after just seven minutes. But Luqa deservedly drew level on 18 minutes when Keith Portelli headed in from a Jesmond Azzopardi indirect free-kick.

Luqa gradually gained the initiative but it was Kirkop once again who managed to regain the lead when Chris Farrugia profited from an indecision by the Luqa defence.

Ronald Spina and Clive Psaila were close to put Luqa back on level terms while on the hour Kirkop goalkeeper Mizzi brought off a fine save to deny the same Psaila.

Luqa's hopes were dealt a blow in injury time when Nathaniel Falzon was dismissed for a rough tackle on Jonathan Bellizzi and deep in stoppage time Farrugia scored from a free-kick to seal Kirkop's win.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Zejtun Corinthians 1
Sirens 4

Lolly Aquilina's Sirens deservedly won this match to chalk up their second successive win of the season.

Adrian Galea, of Sirens, was the main protagonist as he managed to notch a hat-trick.

He opened his account after ten minutes after some fine work from Alan Spiteri.

Three minutes later Spiteri turned scorer when he stabbed the ball home from a Kenneth Zammit cross. Galea completed his hat-trick by the end of the first half with goals in the 23rd and 43rd minutes.

The second period was a mere formality with Galea wasting two easy chances for Sirens.

Zejtun pulled one back a minute from time from an Elton Caruana penalty but the match had long been won.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.